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Sinclair pipe chanters enjoy an excellent reputation here in
Australia as well. I shall be playing a Sinclair chanter in my pipes on the
Tour. Rory and Ian, it sounds as though we might tune in well together. What are
the other pipers on the Tour playing?
Niven, pipes (reed pipes, and later bagpipes ) were very
common in Eastern, and Southern European countries (including Italy) over 2000
years ago. Groups of female pipers who played professionally were
commonplace.
There is a later and more notable link with Italy. The famous
MacCrimmons of Piobaireachd repute originated there. Petrus Bruno was born in
Cremona in 1575, and with his two sons John and Patrick, moved to Ireland in
1610. They afterwards changed their name to MacCrimmon. They were excellent
pipers, and after moving to Skye, established a school of piping which became
world famous. Their tuition course was of seven years duration, hence the adage
that 'it takes seven years to make a piper, and seven generations of pipers
behind him.' It was Petrus Bruno who developed the Canntaireachd, the piper's
singing language, which was based on deep religious significance. The speciality
of the MacCrimmons was Piobaireachd, which is classical pipe music, and which
was often played in such a way as to warn of the approach of
enemies.
So, Italian bagpipers! Yes, they have had a very intense
effect on our 'traditional' music.
John McIntyre.
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